Governor Quinn will make his budget address on Wednesday.  His budget director announced yesterday that he plans to reduce the municipal share of the income tax by 30%.  If the Governor makes this reduction a reality, the impact to Woodridge is $830,000.  This is nearly as much as the Village spends over the course of two years in snowplowing and salting.

This money is not a handout from the State, it is the municipal share of the income tax.

Woodridge has made tough choices in order to be fiscally responsible and not push the financial burden onto residents.  The Village has cut $1,800,000 out of the budget in order to balance revenues and expenditures.  We’ve reduced the workforce by almost 15% through attrition and layoffs.  We’ve eliminated pay increases.  We’ve postponed large capital projects.  We’ve reduced day-to-day expenses by 10%.  We’ve acted responsibly in responding to the financial crisis.

This spring, the entire nation will undergo the 2010 Decennial U.S. Census.  An accurate Census count of Woodridge residents is vital for a number of reasons, including the amount of state shared revenues the Village receives.  These dollars are generated by our own residents and businesses.  A complete count makes sure that we capture back a portion of what Woodridge taxpayers have paid in taxes.  Currently the Village receives over $4,000,000 in state shared revenues.  In these tough economic times, the Village Board has made it a priority not to put any additional financial burden on our residents.  In order to accomplish this, it is especially important that our community not lose out on money that is due.  Undercounting could lead to a reduction in those revenues making it increasingly more difficult for the Village to support vital community services such as roadway maintenance and public safety.